In walking, the journey is more important than the destination. Walking is a great way to explore nature. It can take you to the most beautiful places on Earth and into contact with amazing plants and wildlife. You forget about the day to day hassles and stress of life. It’s the starting point of a whole range of other outdoor activities year round. The autumn leaves, winter snow, the new colors of spring and the warmth of summer all offer unique walking opportunities.

I have found walking to be a form of meditation. People use meditation to live less on “automatic pilot” and to be more observant. In our society, where life becomes busier and more complex, our brain has to deal with a constant flood of new information and we experience an increased need for relaxation and stress release.

Meditating is using any technique to relax your body and mind. It is not a special experience, but just helps you focus and ignore irrelevant thoughts. During meditation you are relaxed, yet more alert. It improves concentration and makes you more observant. Thinking clearly results in better decision making, more creativity, less wasting of energy and a more holistic view of reality. Having better control of your feelings and emotions will help you realize your full potential.

Why do only 15 percent of US adults engage in sufficient physical activity?

The answer lies in how people perceive exercise. It does not have to involve long, painful or boring workouts. A good workout can be as simple as taking a brisk 30 minute walk with your dog, or a slower hour long walk through a local park.

Walking is a natural exercise that is economical and convenient, requires no special equipment and causes very little physical strain. The natural walking motion provides you with an effective low impact workout, letting you set your own pace and distance. It is an excellent way to lose extra pounds and improve your health. You won’t find a better way to lose weight than walking. The results will be more permanent and pleasurable than any diet or weight loss scheme.

Contrary to popular belief, a decline in physical activity and strength does not have to come with aging. Aging doesn’t decrease the body’s ability to be physically active and healthy, but leading an inactive and unhealthy lifestyle definitely accelerates the aging process.

Each time you go outside and walk, you will feel better than you did before. Your body will feel better, your head will feel clearer and your stress level will decrease. The result is you will want to walk again.

Walking releases calming brain chemicals called endorphins. It also releases adrenaline, produced by the body to cope with real or perceived danger. If this adrenaline isn’t released from the body, it accumulates, causing muscle tension and anxiety. Walking could be an experience you share with others or something that you do alone. It could be a way of relaxing or used to test your physical capabilities.

Reaching a higher level of awareness goes hand in hand with a feeling of inner rest, pleasure and contentment. Our personal happiness no longer comes from doing things or acquiring things, but from just being alive. As you see improvements in your body and state of mind, you’ll also want to eat healthy foods. With each walk you will feel better, which will encourage you to continue healthy habits. If you don’t believe it, go for a walk and you’ll see what I mean.